Synergia began working with Pipers Corner in 2014, when Headmistress Helen Ness-Gifford felt the time was right to develop the leadership style within the school and she approached Synergia’s Clare Barnett.

Both Clare and Helen were attending the GSA New Heads Induction event where Clare had delivered Synergia’s Mentor Training for New Heads. Helen expressed a wish to introduce a coaching culture within Pipers Corner. Synergia was invited to work with the SLT and provide them with a strong introduction to coaching. This was so successful that Clare was to return to the school to work with the heads of departments to cascade the coaching approach throughout both senior and middle management teams. A firm focus would be placed on the importance of emotional intelligence, key skills of questioning, listening and feedback and enabling a safe environment in which to practise these skills.

Following that, in 2016 Clare and the Synergia team returned to Pipers Corner to deliver the ILM Level 5 Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring. There were 10 people on this course, eight from Pipers Corner and two places had been given to a local grammar school. The team finished the course in summer 2017 and received their certificates. They have already stated working with staff and pupils using coaching and mentoring in many different ways. Clare is still working with the school to continue to support this process, with supervision and further honing of coaching skills.

“The training given to SLT and pastoral leaders was such high quality, we decided to have our heads of department trained as well, in order to embed coaching more firmly within the whole school. I would strongly recommend this course and Synergia’s approach.” Helen Ness-Gifford, Pipers Corner